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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Yesterday I had a lovely day stitching with my friends at Denise's home. Gaye bought lovely homegrown lemons to share...we are spoiled.
My friend Lorel has been making a supreme effort this year to finish some of her UFO's some of which have been decent size quilts I might add. So far she has crossed 13 off her list. She bought her latest finish to show us.

Beautiful models..Lorel on the left, Denise on the right. Apart from the dark pink and the floral border every thing else came from Lorel's stash. I think it is really lovely.
Lorel has also been working on my "Jolly Holly Gathering" and started quilting her version yesterday.

It always amazes me how a different colour way and fabric choice makes the same design completely different. I was working on my hexies so nothing to show. I do however have another sneaky of some Secret Santa business...

Now for something completely different. My youngest 3 1/2 year old Grandson has been trying his hand at a bit of gardening in some containers...

And how exciting to have your very first strawberry that you have grown....

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Good Morning everyone. I hope all of you in SE Qld are safe and didn't sustain any damage in yesterday's storm. The skies got very angry...

and my garden got very excited but I am afraid apart from a bit of a drizzle was disappointed. Thankful for any of the wet stuff at the moment though and also thankful we didn't receive any of the hail or damaging winds. I have been a bit 'off colour' this week hence the scarcity of posts. So a bit of time has been spent lolling about feeling sorry for myself. So....

I have been working on some Christmas goodies which I can't show you because snoopy little Elves may be about and we don't want to spoil any surprises and....

I have also been working away on "My Red Fancies" framed hexies quilt. It features 13 little redwork stitcheries of all the red things that take my 'fancy'. I really love it. I have had this quilt in my head for years and love that it is finally being created. I got it all together and quite quickly as well which surprised me as I thought it would take forever but I then decided it need another row all the way around.

So here I am back on the hexie making trail. Such a hardship... tee hee!

As far as favourite 'red' things go I had to include DD's naughty black poodle Miss Sophie after one of her groomings in her pretty red bows...always loved how she thought she was very special in those red bows.

Speaking of pretty red things I finally succumbed to the new French General range "Josephine" I resisted for as long as I could but ...oh my delicious!! After looking through the charm squares I think there is a little more of it I fancy. I feel all "Appliquey" when I look at it..hmmmm!

Love!!! The little honey bees!
One of my next little jobs is to make stockings for my two new Granddaughters so although these are panels I think they are so cute and I am going to embroider their names along the top. They are both such gorgeous little girls I am sure Santa will fill them to the brim for them xxx

***Just a reminder about the quilt stolen from Springwood Community Neighbourhood Craft group. I have a photo for you of the quilt.

If you see it or are offered any raffle tickets for it please contact the Springwood Police on 07 33878333. The proceeds of the raffle were to go to making up hampers for needy families and helping children in the district. It would be wonderful if it were recovered and those responsible were caught.

As I have been really feeling my age and beyond this week I thought a gentle reminder was in order. So note to self....

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Good morning to you all ( I think it is still morning). Had a bit of a late night last night...out stitching. We had a great night. We christened friend Theresa's lovely new home with needle and thread and lots of chatter and laughter. (Missed you Rob xx) I worked on my red hexies...

I have been arranging them and I am starting to stitch them together....love them!
Today I am playing with these Chrissy gifts....just a peek now.

Well I hope I am as I have a very sore, swollen, infected finger thanks to a long and nasty rose thorn piercing it just below my knuckle...ouchie!! Don't know what is worse the finger or taking the antibiotics.
Enough of the self sympathy and on to the vintage threads.
Yesterday morning I had a visit from a friend of my Mum's who is a beautiful crocheter and used to do a lot of gorgeous embroidery. Norma can't do a lot of it anymore due to ill health. She wanted me to have this little treasure of hers because she said she knew I would love it.

The thread inside this box is over 100 years old and was given to Norma by an elderly stitcher when she was a young woman.....want a peek inside????

They feel so silken and are just beautiful and in perfect condition. There are several missing indicating their owner used them. I can't help but wonder what she was working on and I hope she would approve of them now being in my care..the stitcher's name was Mrs Udell. Very special indeed. Thank you Norma xxx

ANOTHER STOLEN QUILT ALERT!!!
I did not think I would be posting about another stolen quilt. I hope to have a photo to show you shortly but I wanted to alert everyone as soon as possible.
A quilt featuring stitchery angels and burgundy and mustard pieced sashings plus $400 worth of raffle tickets was stolen from the car of a member of the Logan East Community Neighbourhood Centre Craft group known as the Queens Beez in Springwood Qld. What makes this truly awful was that it was made by volunteers as a raffle to assist youth in crisis and there is about 400 hours of work in it. So if anyone offers you a raffle ticket for sale or you see a quilt like this please contact Springwood Police Station on 0733878333. Hopefully I will have a photo soon.
That's it from me folks.
"Be kind to yourselves and let others leave you better for the experience." Because 'Kindness' no matter how small has the power to bring about amazing things.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Monday, October 21, 2013

I had a beautiful Yoga class this morning....thank you Helen. Loved it. I bought some little gifts home from my Yoga sisters today...
Freshly picked avocados from Sam's trees. Thank you Miss Sam x

and inside here are another little gift.

No it's not asparagus.....inside are my very own little compost worms. YAY!!! Terribly excited. I know you may think I am crazy but I have been wanting to make my own worm farm for ages ( I know it doesn't look pretty but it has every thing required) and thanks to my friend Helen my farm now has residents. I have been researching and reading for ages so thank you Miss Helen for the wrigglies...made my day. I guess you have to be careful who you announce to that "you now have worms" LOL!

Now on to clever people. Our blogging friend Val Spiers has embarked on a little journey making the most amazing glass adornments e.g buttons for bags and lovely pendants which are well known patchwork blocks...they are so cute and very reasonable priced too. They come in a lovely little box and are already just to slide on to your favourite neck chain. Perfect as a gift for a 'stitchy' friend (or yourself) Val's new endeavour is called "Glass Applique"

On the stitching front I am still addicted to making little Christmas trees and have been working on my red hexies and they are making a very nice little pile.

That's it from me as I am losing patience (yes even after a Yoga class) with this stupid blogger not letting me align my text properly....has a spack from time to time, so apologise if it looks all weird and all over the place

Sunday, October 20, 2013

On Friday I treated myself to an afternoon of stitching after battling and heaving the groceries over and around our newly concreted driveway entrance during which the heavens opened up and I got soaked as well (not complaining...need the rain) but it stopped immediately I got the lot under cover. lol

I was very pleased to discover after a couple of false starts that the ability to cross-stitch was still there. I had such an enjoyable time I think a couple of ornies might be necessary. As I could not put it down (terrified I would forget where I was up to) I managed to finish the little design.

Because it is on Aida cloth it is a little bigger than Marina'sso I am not sure whether to make myself a lovely new little needlebook or a pincushion. Just need to find some small monochrome Christmas ornament charts now....I think I am re-hooked.
My cross stitching took me late into the evening so I only had time to make one little Christmas tree. I really wanted to make some green ones. I love these little trees.

Now to my delusions of grandeur. Because I am constantly inspired by all you clever quilters out there I sometimes think "Yep! I can do that!" Which has resulted in me buying this book.

Those of you who have followed my blog for a long while will know that I dislike piecing....love pieced quilts but just don't like making them. Now I decided that doing something outside your comfort zone was very good for ones soul.....until the book arrived. WHAT! WAS I THINKING!!!! Oh my goodness...tiny little 6 inch blocks many of which are foundation pieced (I stayed away that day from class) and most of the others have teeny tiny templates. So my 'ideas of Grandeur' regarding making a pieced quilt have sunk into my boots and I have cheered myself by deciding it will look good on my shelf.
Just wanted to finish by saying....keep an eye out for your friends and loved ones when you can.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I am off to see what the FNSI girls got up to.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Friday has rolled around again and it also time to join lots of my blogging friends for

The very lovely Wendy over at Sugar Lane Quilts is our hostess tonight. If you want to join us you can sign up hereIt is a lot of fun to know you are stitching with others all around the country and then you get to visit them over the weekend and see what they all got up too.

I have had a hankering for a little while to visit my cross stitching days which was I have to admit many moons ago. I was never one of those clever souls who could stitch on line but I did enjoy a bit of stitching on the old 14ct Aida cloth. So thanks to very kind MarinaI have a little chart I have fancied for a while and a lovely skein of Country Garden thread (Vintage Rose)I received for my birthday....so I am going to see if I can remember how it is done...

I even found some needles in my needlebook....so fingers crossed.
Some more little trees are also on the agenda. This time I fancy a couple of green ones. They are all cut out and ready to go.

So after a spot of hunting and gathering for some ingredients for an easy dinner I intend to have a looong sew in. Hope I can pull it off. Hope to see you there.

Lastly I would like to send my heartfelt prayers to all those affected by the terrible bushfires in NSW particularly to those who have lost their homes. I it so hard for me to comprehend that the beauty we experienced a few weeks ago has now been so devastated. Huge praise and admiration for all our dedicated 'Firies' who do such an amazing job and put their lives on the line (even in some instances where their own homes were burning) for their fellow human beings. Heroes each and every one of you.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Yesterday we were very saddened to discover that this beautiful quilt loving created by Brenda Wood was stolen from the Queensland Quilters Quilt Show. This is such a despicable act and I am sure your stomach lurches as mine did at the thought of it. So! HAVE YOU SEEN THIS QUILT!!!!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Some of you will have read the wonderful book "Salvation Creek" by Aussie author and one time editor of the Australian Women's Weekly, Susan Duncan. I adore this book and her other works and so does my dear friend Gaye. So when Gaye asked me if I would like to go with her yesterday to hear Susan speak and introduce her new book "Gone Fishing" I couldn't say YES!! quick enough. She is such an inspiring lady having overcome much and triumphed. You felt as if you were having a natter with one of your girlfriends and she is so no nonsense and genuine with a wonderful sense of humour. I loved listening to her.
As I have some of her books already I decided to take advantage of the special they had just for the day and bought (for half price by the way ) her beautiful coffee table book dedicated to her home on Pittwater.

And she signed the inside cover for me while we had a little chat. It is such a feast for the eyes and I cannot wait to curl up in my chair and devour it page by page. Here she is humbly accepting our applause.

You can tell by Gaye's face and my grin just how happy we were with our morning.

We finished off our day with a very nice lunch. After which we popped into the gorgeous gift shop Linen and Lace at Cleveland and said hi to Marilyn it's lovely owner. Love visiting Gaye down by the Bay.
Today another lovely day unfolded as I met my friend Ann at the Stitches and Craft Show and we joined my blogging friends for a cuppa and a chat. It was so nice to catch up with all the girls as it is ages since I had seen them....so hugs all around. Jane from Quiltjanetook this lovely photo of us all ( I have borrowed this piccie from Sandi)

We have (front row L-R) Val, Teresa, Tatyana, Sandi, Marilyn and Noela.
Back row L-R Lynda, Susan, yours truly and Fiona. My lovely friend Ann was off buying me a coffee...spoilt aren't I. It was so nice to spend time with my best mate from up the coast.
This photo was stolen from Teresa. I think there is going to a bit of borrowing going on. I just want to say what ever is going on....it's Fiona's fault. LOL!

I made a pact with myself that I was going to really think about my purchases today as I am trying to clean out my sewing room so didn't want to undermine my efforts. I was very pleased with my purchases...more red/creams for my red hexies. Those reds are not that bright!!!

I also bought a cool little LED battery operated lamp for when I go to stitching group at night as I find it hard to see without my light from home. My friend Diane told us about them last week. I also was thrilled to get some papers for some teeny tiny chubby little Dresdens and some gifty type things and cute buttons.

So all in all very useful purchases (my story and I am sticking to it) A wander through the beautiful quilts with Fiona, Lynda and Marilyn and a last look around with Ann (you don't want to miss anything) finished off a lovely day.
So huge thank you to everyone for making it such a lovely day.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Good morning everyone. Well as promised my little Christmas quilt "A Jolly Holly Gathering" is now in pattern form.

The cost of this pattern is $14.50 Aus. Postage is free within Australia.
I also have for purchase "Let's Stitch" Needlebook and Scissor Keeper pattern.

The cost of this pattern is $13.50 Aus. If you wish to purchase either of these patterns you can order by emailing me.

I have been spending some more time stitching little Christmas ornaments. These cuties I saw on Christine's blog from Macdonald's Patch Christine had followed the link supplied by our lovely friendMelody to Camelia Rose's lovely blog where she offered a free tutorial. I have put my own little stamp on them. They are so cute and they are very addictive.

I made 3 in the blue which was the featured colourway but could not resist some in red/white. I also know someone who loves pink decorations so I made a little sweet pink one too.

So thank you to all of you who shared, Melody, Christine and Ruth from Camelia Rose. I think I will be making a couple more. As I said ....very addictive.
Some quick show and tell also. Joy from Bundaberg (no blog) purchased my "Season's Stitchery" mini quilts pattern and has made each one into a tote bag so she has one for all the seasons of the year.

Here are Joy's tote's...

Great idea Joy. She is set now no matter what time of the year it is. Thanks for sharing your stitching.
Well I am off to spend the day with my lovely friend Gaye.
I wish you a wonderful day.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Sunday, October 13, 2013

I thought when I looked at it finished what a Jolly little gathering they were so that's what I have decided to call this pattern "A Jolly Holly Gathering". It measures around 26 inches square.You will also be pleased to know I have written the instructions for it (yes I have been busy) and just need to get it printed. YAY!
I have been asked recently for two of my other designs to be in pattern form so I now have patterns for"Teacups & Roses Table Runner"

and sweet little "Angel of the Tea Party"

So that is the sewing bit covered.
Last night our local footy club had their end of year break up and as we live very close to them we were able to sit on our verandah and watch their fireworks over the roof tops...

It was great to just sit and watch and enjoy them.

Today is the day my Husband and Son wait for all year round I think....the big race at Bathurst when all the big V8's go head to head to be King of the Mountain for this year. If you followed our trip you will know Mr R. took many turns on the track when we were there and has the piccies to prove it. I am sure he will be driving every corner with them. Lol.

Boy Heaven!!!

My Daughter loves photography and is constantly snapping all kinds of things and she often sets herself little projects and challenges from time to time. One of which recently has been a Super Heroes theme. She has taken some great photos of my Grandsons but she sent me this one of my little "Super Heroes" having a rest on the see-saw after the shoot...Superman and Donatello (Ninja Turtle) lol.

I also love this one she took at the museum of my oldest Grandson...

I think it expresses the awe that little boys have for Dinosaurs. Love it!!!!
Ok! That is it from me today, must dash. A busy day ahead.
Enjoy your day and of course we are barracking for the Holdens!!!!!!
Blessings Michelle xxx

MY NAME IS MICHELLE RIDGWAY - WELCOME TO MY BLOG

HOME OF RAG-TAG STITCHIN' DESIGNS

About Me

I love designing my own patterns which I have named Rag-tag Stitchin' designs. I design all kinds of stitcheries and applique for quilts etc. I love designing Christmas projects especially. My Husband and my Family and friends are the most important people in my life.